Bravo to President Obama for Iranian breakthrough: Letters

I am very proud of President Obama’s attempt to find a peaceful settlement to the Iranian conflict. There are always two ways to settle conflicts between nations: Either go to war or come to a reasonable, peaceful settlement through diplomacy. President Obama, in effect, has overruled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants us to stand down Iran even if it means all-out war. It is very easy to call out the troops, but the consequences can be devastating, as we have seen in Afghanistan and Iraq. We too soon forget that war is hell, and it is always an admission of diplomatic failure. Down deep inside, Netanyahu would like for the United States to take over or control all the other countries of the Middle East including, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Egypt so that Israel would be completely protected.

Netanyahu appears to be the biggest “coat holder” in history, willing to hold our coats while we spend our resources, both money and personnel, to accomplish the conquest of all the countries surrounding Israel.

Basically these countries are all Muslim. It is high time that we quit looking at all the Muslims as terrorists. If so, then there are certainly a lot of terrorists. At last count there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, 2.2 billion Christians and 14 million Jews, I am very proud of the Jews who have done so many good things in the world and I am glad we helped to establish and protect the country of Israel. But I am also proud to know many Muslims who want the same things that Jews and Christians and all humans really want, and that is a peaceful place where they have food, clothing, shelter, a good job and are able to enjoy their families and educate their children in freedom. At our best we must absolutely learn how to settle our basic differences peacefully.

And it doesn’t help to continue condemning all those around us. Sure, there are Muslims who have said some despicable things about the Jews. There is also a cadre of ultra-conservative Jews in Israel who believe all Palestinians should be pushed into the sea. Can’t we all put aside our differences and walk down a peaceful road together?

— Inman Moore, Pasadena

A neutral government means religious freedom

The most interesting part of Supervisor Antonovich’s letter about prayer at government meetings was left unsaid! In what manner is freedom of speech denied to those who pray to Jesus? Are the prayers of religious broadcasters being censored and those obnoxious proselytizers at your door being fined? Are religious movies now prohibited? Will Big Brother arrest you if you pray, short of screaming, on the street corner? The kind of silver platter that religion feeds from would make any atheist organization green with envy!

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Freedom of speech, of course, does not give you the right to force your religion (overtly or subtly) on defenseless children through the public schools. Nor does freedom of religion give government the right to take sides on religious matters, whether repressively, verbally, financially or by subtle use of symbols. A neutral government is our single best guarantee of religious freedom. Some generalized religion in government may seem benign, but it is best to stay off of that slippery slope and draw a firm line of neutrality. “Neutrality” means “neutrality.” It doesn’t mean “atheism,” as some people seem to think.

— Dave E. Matson, Pasadena

The day of reckoning has arrived from the 1950s

A college professor in 1957 told us some day we would wake up and find out that the America we once knew was gone. We laughed. That day is here.